Sinn Féin - On Your Side

‘Struggle for equality is ongoing’ - Fearon

The centenary of women’s suffrage should act as a reminder
that the struggle for equality is ongoing, Sinn Féin Equality spokesperson
Megan Fearon has said.

The Newry-Armagh MLA commented: “Today marks the 100th
Anniversary of the Representation of the People Act which extended partial
franchise to women.

“That represented a major milestone for the Women’s
Suffrage movement. It paved the way for the eventual extension of voting rights
to all women.

“However, we are also very conscious that it would be
more than five decades before we had universal suffrage in the North.

“We also mark the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights
Movement this year and both these events should serve as reminders that the
struggle for rights and equality is ongoing.

“It is 2018 and we are still discussing basic
human rights as if they are optional. Issues including the gender pay gap, equal representation and access to healthcare must be
addressed if we are to move towards a rights-based society founded on genuine
equality.”